The Montana Department of Environmental Quality said Tuesday it has settled violations of water quality laws in three Billings subdivisions with Buscher Construction and Development Inc.

Buscher agreed to pay a $83,500 administrative penalty to resolve violations of the Montana Water Quality Act in the Poly Vista Estates, Trailshead and Falcon Ridge II subdivisions in Billings, said Jeni Flatow, DEQ public affairs spokeswoman.

The violations included conducting construction before getting a required general permit for storm water discharges, discharge of storm water without a permit, causing pollution of state waters from sediment runoff and failure to implement its storm water pollution prevention plan.

Buscher also agreed to submit quarterly summary reports for each subdivision for two years and to maintain and renew regular permit coverage in a timely manner, the DEQ said.

“To protect Montana’s environment, it is critical for companies to work closely with DEQ to educate themselves on applicable environmental laws and to help resolve issues like this,” said Tim Davis, administrator of the Water Quality Division.

For more information about Montana’s Water Quality Act, call the division at 406-444-3080 or visit the website at deq.mt.gov/DEQAdmin/WQ.